Social media revolves around ego, as well as the digital world in general. Facebook is about our accomplishments, likes, friends, and then ability to post whatever strikes our fancy: old flames, feuds, beefs, or whatever gripes we have. Seldom is it being thankful for something.
Every act of kindness, bravery, chivalry, and good behavior is recorded for the world to see, rather than handling matters quietly. Humility and seems to be a premium these days. The same for what were once intimate and private moments in reunions and engagements. Today when we see any trouble brew, all too often are instinct is to grab our cellphones and record instead of helping.
Andy Warhol famously exclaimed we will all get 15 minutes of fame. Little did I know how prescient he would be decades before social media. Then, it seemed he was making an Orwellian comment on technology. George Will lamented that the good thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice, and the bad thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice. Today, all someone needs is a camera, Twitter feed, or another social media account, and they become their own content publisher, free to comment and post on anything they want with very little accountability, other than blasted in a Twitter war. To turn back would require checking our egos to do so, and I'm afraid we're not ready to that, if ever.
Every act of kindness, bravery, chivalry, and good behavior is recorded for the world to see, rather than handling matters quietly. Humility and seems to be a premium these days. The same for what were once intimate and private moments in reunions and engagements. Today when we see any trouble brew, all too often are instinct is to grab our cellphones and record instead of helping.
Andy Warhol famously exclaimed we will all get 15 minutes of fame. Little did I know how prescient he would be decades before social media. Then, it seemed he was making an Orwellian comment on technology. George Will lamented that the good thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice, and the bad thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice. Today, all someone needs is a camera, Twitter feed, or another social media account, and they become their own content publisher, free to comment and post on anything they want with very little accountability, other than blasted in a Twitter war. To turn back would require checking our egos to do so, and I'm afraid we're not ready to that, if ever.
